Folding tripod.



PATENTED APR. 19, 1904.

R. P. PALMER. FOLDING TRIPOD. APPLIOATIOK FILED AUG. 10, 1898.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H0 MODEL.

- BY%n 11v VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

W! TNESSES Y &

n1: now-us wzvzns co. PnoroLm-m. wasmncmw u c PATENTBD APR. 19, 1904. HiPl L FOLDING TRIPOD.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 1898.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' N0 MODEL,

[NVEN TOR. 2%,,

WITNESSES B y I 7 ms mamas PEIERS 50.,

UNITED STATES Patented April 19, 1904."

PATENT O FICE.

RICHARD P. PALMER, OF BONIDHILL, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM HUBBELLFISHER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

TRIPOD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,766, datedApfil 191904;

- Application filed August 10, 1898.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD P. PALM R, a citizenof the United States,and a resident of Y the town of Bondhill, in the county of Hamilton andState of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFolding Tri-z pods, of which the following is a specification.

My invention contemplates a construction; wherein the legs whennotneeded in use can, while attached to the topor plate, be folded; out orlaid flat in the same horizontal plane.

My invention contemplates also a construction wherein when the legs arelaid out flat in the same plane the top or plate can be folded down flatagainst the legs. I

My invention contemplates also a construction whereby when the legs liein the same plane and the top of the tripod is folded down the movementof the top in being folded down operates automatically to lock the legstogether.

My invention is applicable to certain caseswhere each leg is madein'sections, these sec- .tral device connecting the tripod with thecamera will also serve to lock them together immovably. V

The several features of my invention and the various advantagesresulting from their use conjointly or otherwise will be apparent fromthe following description and claims.

several portions of each leg are folded and the folded legsare broughtedge to edge, the legs thus lying in a common plane. The head is shownfolded against the legs. Fig- 3 rep- Serial No. 688,243. (No modeli)resents in perspective the head of the tripod,

sents in perspective aview of the tripod-head and the adjacent portionsof the legs when the latter are in a common plane and the tripodheadoccupying a plane at right angles to the common plane occupied by thelegs. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the tripod when the several partsoccupy the position shown in Fig.2, but

showing the opposite side of the tripod and the legs. Fig. 6 representsa view of certain portions;of the tripod when the partsare in theposition shown in Figs. 2 and 5; but all of the legs and parts of legsof the tripod to the left I of the dotted line 6 ,6 of Fig. 5 areomitted.

The tripod-head is shown in vertical centralv section, the section beingtaken in the direction of the plane of the dotted line ([1 of Fig. 6.

This view indicates a position of the pivots of the middle leg relativeto the pivots of the other legs. Fig. 7 is aview of the same parts shownin Fig. 6 and from the same point of View; but in this view, Fig. 7, thetripod-head is at right angles to the leg. The lower portion of this legis omitted to obtain room for other illustrations. This view indicatesthe change of position of the. pivots of the middle leg relative to thepivots of the other leg. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the tripod-head andof the upper portion of the legs when the latter are being rotated. Fig.9 shows in perspective the preferred form of catch-stud and of thecatch-plate for engaging the groove of such catch-stud for enabling thelegs to be locked together by the tripod-head when moved as required.Fig. 10 illustrates a position of the tripod when the folded legs are ina common plane and the tripodhead at right angle'sto this plane. Aportion only of the legs'is shown. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of theupper ends of parts of a folding sectional leg and showing a device forcausing the sections of the leg, of which these ends resent legs for thesame.

are parts, to be frictionally held in place when the tripod is folded.

In order to abbreviate subsequent explanation of the figures andreference thereto, it is to be noted that in Fig. 5 and in Fig. 10 aportion of the legs adjacent to each other is broken away to uncover themeans there located for locking these legs there together. In Fig. 5these means are shown in the position they assume when they have lockedthe legs together. In Fig. 8 these means are shown in the position theyassume when they have unlocked the legs. In Figs. 4 and 10 thetripod-head and the legs are in the same relative positions; but in Fig.10 the view is of the opposite side of the tripod-head and the legs fromthat shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4 the tripod-head and legs are shownupside down, and the under side of the tripod-head and itsaccompaniments are seen. In Fig; 10 the head and legs are inright-end-up position.

I will now proceed to describe my invention in detail. A is thetripod-plate, and BB Brep- The tripod-plate A is a board or plate and inits own general outline and conformation does not differ, essentially,from those plates or boards in common use. One leg is connected to thetripod-plate by suitable hinges, and these hinges may be of any approvedkind. The legs are not in the illustrations shown detachable; but theymay be made detachable in any proper manner. If detachable, thepreferred mode of making them detachable is one which when the tripod isset up compels the leg to be lifted, so that its length is substantiallyat right angles to the vertical before it can be detached; but suchcapacity for detachment forms no part of my present invention. The legsare preferably, as usual, wide at the top to insure strength andrigidity of structure and are of the skeleton form, two sticks or ribsforming the upper portion of the leg. When the tripod-plate A- isof'metal, one part of the hinges is preferably integral therewith. Inthe present illustrative drawings 1 have shown I a simple mode ofattaching these skeleton legs to the tripodviz., by means of a pivotrodC, passing transversely through the up-' per end of the rib B of theleg. This pivotrod is duly connected to a lug D, which is in turnconnected to the tripod-head, (preferably by means of screws.) The lugsD and pivotrods C of one leg (the central leg when the legs are fold edflat againsteach other, as shown in the drawings,) are held in fixedrelation to the tripod-plate A, and the other two outer legs of thetripod are so connected to the plate A'as to'be capable of not onlybeing moved pivotally upon their'pivot-rods C, but also of being somoved as to bring their pivot-rods parallel with or at angles to thepivot-rod of the central leg, so as to permit the three legs to befolded flat against each other when the pivot-rods are parallel or to beunfolded and set in position for supporting the plate A for use when thepivot-rods C are at angles to each other. For securing the outer legs tothe plate A, I employ the means which I will now describe. The pivot Ofor thus connecting rib B of the leg to a lug is shown by solid lines inFigs. 3 and 6 and in other figures, as 7 and 8, by dotted lines.

On the bottom of the tripod-head I locate two plates E E, and I makeeach of these to swing, and for the latter purpose I provide a pivot F,secured to the tripod-head either directly or by the intervention of asupplemental piece, the latter then being attached to the tripod-head.Thus each of these plates is free to swing on its pivot. To each ofthese plates a leg of the tripod is suitably secured. I have shown forillustration the same kind of means of attachment for these to theirrespective plates as Ihave shown for securing the first-named leg to thetripod-head; Thus I have all of the legs secured to the tripodhead.

In order to attain a compact arrangement of the tripod, it is necessarythat each leg should be in sections capable of being folded together.Any mode ofconstructing themto fold may be used provided that such modedoes not interfere with their combination with my present invention. Inthe drawings I have shown one mode of folding these sections togetherand of duly fixing them in position when unfolded. The legs may befolded before or after the several legs are moved into the same plane,substantially as shown in Fig. 3 and also as shown in Figs. 1, 4:, 5,and 8, with this exception that in Figs. 4: and 5 the tripod-head isshown laid down flat on the sections. After the leg-sections have beenfolded and all of the sections lie in a common plane the head or top isfolded fiat down upon them, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. I have provided amechanism by means of which the folding down of the head serves toeffectually lock together the three adjacent legs lying in the sameplane. The mechanism is as follows: Studs Gr project from the outeredges of the middle leg substantially as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, andrecesses H (see the same figures) are present in those portions of theedges of the outer legs which respectively come 0pposite to the studs G,so when the legs are located together (edge to edge) in the same planeone of these studs G enters the adjacent recess in one leg and the otherstud enters the adjacent recess H in the'other leg. Each recess has acatch-lug I, and each stud has a recess G capable of receiving theadjacent' catch-lug. When the plate--A is at right angles to the legs,as indicated in Figs. 4 and 8, the studs are out of engagement with thecatch-lugs of the recesses H; but when the plate A is folded down flatagainst the legs, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the catch-lug I will enterthe recess G of the stud and the legs rams-e will be locked-together.This is accomplished by the following construction: The pivotsG of themiddle leg are located on the tripod plate or head A in a difierentplane from the pivots of the other legs. The planes I refer to are atright angles to the plane of the'head A. This construction is clearlyshown in the Figs. 5 and 6. Thus when (see these figures) the plate A isfolded down fiat against the legs the pivots C of the middle leg arefarther down than the pivots C of the side legs, and thus as the plate Ais moved from its position (see Figs. d and 8) at right angles to-thelegs B to its position fiatsee Figs. 1, '5, and 6) against the legs themiddle leg is forced lengthwise along in one direction, while the otherlegs are moved lengthwise in the other direction Thuseach catch-stud G-on the middle leg is compelled "t6 engage with its adjacent catch-lugIon theside legs, thelatter' entering the =groove Gj 'of the stud As'soon as this engagement is made the legs are secured together, andwillthus be there kept in the same plane. They can unlock-{from eachother by returning the plate A toa position at rightangles to the planeof the legs, as in Figs, 4 and 8. 'This latter movement of the plate Amoves the leg so that the middle one is moved longitudinally in anopposite direction from that in'-. which'-'the other" legs are moved andthe catch-lug I isdisengaged from-the groove; instud G. Then 'the legsare free to be rotated to place and to occupy the position customary ina three legged'trh pod. v

The catchlug Lmaybe variously formed and attachedf A simple modeofmaking the same is to malre an elongated hole in a plate" 1 and screwor, otherwise duly secure the plate to theleg, a recefifi being providedin the leg in line with the hole, so as to freely admit the head of thelug G when the latter is passed through the hole in the plated inpreparation for -engagement with the catchlug I. I

The plates E, each being pivoted at F, are free (when the legs areunlocked at G) to rotate around toward each other, each plate carryingits leg with it. WV henthese plates thus moved have arrived in theproper position to-constitute the tripod, their further. movement ischecked by a suitable stop. It has a central stud J extending downvertically (whenthe tripod is erected) from the head and has horizontalextensions J Whenthe plates E and E are rota:

tably moved around toward each other, their respectiveedges will strikethe stud J and their further rotation-will cease. They will then be in aposition where the opening E of each of them will be inverticalalinement-with passage A through the head A of the tripod. Theneighboring edges of'the plates E E will respectively be above theextensions J 3 and between them and the head A. Their position here 'issuch that the tripod will stand exceedingly firm, and a downwardpressure even when combined with an eifort to twist the tripod will notdisplace them. The camera is now placed upon the tripod, and thesecuringscrew E, whereby the camera is to be secured to the tripod, isinserted from beneath and passed up through the passages E E of theplates, as shown'in Fig. 4, and the passage A of the head A and is thenscrewed up into the bottom portion-of the camera until the tripod= headand the plates E are securely clamped between the head of the screw andthe camera.

The entire structure thus assembled-is strong 1 and rigid, both of whichconditions are greatly to be desired in tripods and in their connectionwith the cameras which they support. In order to bring into al inement'the openings E of the two plates and the opening A one of the plates isbent in the region of the opening E so that thisportion of the platewill be in a plane parallel to the rest of the plate. By this means thetwo plates can be swung around, 5

so that their openings out the plates interfer g with one another.

By means of this: oop'sigii'uction the entire surplane. The legare'nowshortened or compacted, and :care haiving been taken that thestuds G haveente'red theirv respective adjacent recesses H initheadjacent legs the head A is now foldedupon the legs, and the legs arelocked down together, and the whole presents a thin fiat structi ge-veryeasy to carry at one side or at the sidezof a portmanteau or of a hatcamera;-boir (case) and convenient to lay flat within atraveling-satchel, &c

" When desired? the legs can becompacted be Ei may coincide with hesecuring-screw afore- IIO fore the platesLEE are moved away from eachother intdac'ommon plane, and when for any reason it should be desiredto allow the plates to remain closed toward each other in the positionthey occupy when the tripod is erected-theyjcan be so left, and the legsbeing compacted the tripod will presenta quite compact article of a'.form difl'erent from that shape which it is primarily designed to 00-pyo When the mode of compacting the legs is as shown in the drawings,and described in my Letters Patent No. 540,611' aforesaid, 1 proividefriction devices K for preventing the lower lengths or divisions of legwhen; folded into the last or upper section or division from slipping orfalling out from between the paras stops.

allel (or substantially parallel) piecesof the last division. Thepreferred friction device for this purpose consists of the spring Ksecured to one portion of the leg and bent out at K intoa bowed or kneeform, its free end K being bent back, so that its inclined side willalways strike the adjacent piece and be guided away from this piece,thus allowing the portion K to reach and bear against the; saidadjacent.

piece and by its friction hold-together with the several compacteddivisions the two pieces in alinement unless extraneous force is appliedto separate them. Such force is applied through the operator when theleg is to be unfolded. The adjacent leg-piece may be chamfered away at K(see Fig. 11) to aid in the easy admission and introduction of thespring between these adjacentleg-pieces. When the guide-lips M need tobe protected,i which may sometimes be the case, becauseonthat side ofthe legs (when laidfiati'whichis shown in Fig. 1 they are the first toreceive a pressure at that end portion which is at'the left hand in thisfigure, they can readily be protected by an exceedingly simple means-:-namely, the studs N, located near the lips,

(when the leg is folded,) either in the same piece as the lip or inaneighboring piece In, a the latter instance a very convenient locationis the lower part of the lowest piece or ,division of the leg, asshownin the drawings.

In moving the plates EEout Wardly, so that their legs shall be in acommon plane with the third@'. 6., middle-leg suitable stops should bepresent to limit their movement I have so constructed the device thatthe lugs D D- of the said third or middle leg shalloperate ing platesrespectively impinge against these lugs D D of the middle leg.

For convenience of manufacture both of the lugs D for respectivelyholding by a pivot C its rib of the middleleg to the tripod-head arepreferably connected to a plate G which latter is screwed tothetripod-head substan;

tially as shown, and the plates E E, where pivoted to the tripod-head Fare pivoted to this plate C and not into the tripod-head above, thisplate serving as the tripod-head, 1n holdlng the pivoted connectionsvto- -theplates E E. This construction is not only novel ,andefiicacious-for the purposes .just

mentioned, but also for holding thelugs D in such a position that thelugs D of adjacentlegs operate as stops when the side legs are rotatedout and'moved, so as to occupy the same plane as that occupied'by themiddleleg, Relative to the position of .the studs G G and the catch I Iand the legs it is to-be noted that it is optional whether the studs G Gare, either or bothon the middle leg or on a side.

leg or legs so long as the opposing adjacent leg carries thecomplementary catch-lug I 1 and holds it in a positionv to engagethestud G and its groove, so as to prevent the legsfrom The adjacentlugs D D of the swing;

separating while ..the tripodrhead v is folded against .thealegs, as inFigs; .1 and .5.

What I claim, astnew and, .ofmy; .invention, and desireto securebyLetters Patent, is

I 1. In a tripod, the combination of a head,

three plates, having end portions pivotally con:

platesbeing i adapted- :;for- ,rotary movement toward and. from ,each,otherand the. .central plate, being held; in fixedrelation to. the head,

and the pivoted outer plates being adapted for rotary movementacrosstheunderside of the head, and under a holding. device and legs,

pivoted on the respective plates; substantially A,

as and for, the purposes specified.

2. In a tripod, the combination of a head having a perforation,legs,.twoofwhich haye plates pivotallyconnectedlto theheadand arranged stoswingacross. -the same, each of said.

P t s'hanin a p r orat n adapt d. w the pla mov t q ne pond w th; he pr-- i nin@thehead. a ii;a s re tor' t l e p s ed throu h-t e p lz e atia si e ead and ad apted .for-engagement with the perfora-.

ti n sa d plat s...substant ally s an for the; purpo easnec fied. d

nt tr pe ,iathet mbinati n o ahe p t nnect? .t eheada id apte f r qvmentw hern anaa aeh. i orme itha per ratio the erfi atiensi n thep t s bw adapted t re isteri i h; each he a screw ovth l dapted- I s-pa d thoug :1

Said. ptr o atiorns, when, in t t d Y the plat -t sti t. etiite mov mnt, an

legs, two of which are carried by said plates,

substantially as, se t forth V 4.; In a tripod,- a the combination .of..a head, 1

h v g an. one eit re e v hetn po -s r w.

tripod-screw, legs, -two of the l'egs each having a plate pivoted. to.the tripod-head, 1 ea h p a v ng a hole. l c ted f r alineme tw the,hole ofthe other plate, and with the tri:

pod-screwopening of thehead, when the legs; are mb d fo supp rt n i he tipody ead,

and a stop having a secnring-stop with which the pivot p ate ases-whene. l t r.

approximated, substantially. as and. ;for [the 1 purposes-specified.

lnatn -pe the. comb na i n .o he ady and a ileg having a pivot pointheld. in fixed relation on the head, the. plates 7 each havgs -piv tlly: ec ed. le e: pi o sv the legs of. the platesbeingJout 1of,alinement,

with. the pivot .holding the central leg, and catchesrespectiyelytpresent between ad acent e sp fied...

6. In a -tripod,-. the com a v central leg -pivotally hi 1loosely-connected 1305 1611 dandadapted fOP mqvement inparallelrlanes;;.o he s riv:

- ed n s id. pla es. and. Ql(iing. device ,on,

the headtodirnit the, movement QfllhQpl g QSZ sai hq gs ce ina ndepe det .of the screw which connects the tripod-head to the tionzof a head, 1hereon, plates I 2 legs. l ck n fl e. hre -J s to e e i stantiallyasandfor,- thep I against pivotal movement, substantially as camera, buthaving a portion arranged to engage the plates to hold them to the head,substantially as set forth.

7 In a tripod, the combination of a head, a central leg pivotally heldthereon, plates loosely connected to the head and adapted for movementin parallel planes, legs pivoted on said plates, a holding'device on thehead to limit the movement of the plates and a device carried by thehead and having engagement with each plate and arranged to lock theplates set forth.

8. A tripod havingfolding legs adapted, when folded, for movementrelative to each other, means for causing such movement of thetripod-legs, and devices actuated by such relative movement, andarranged to lock the legs in folded position, substantially as setforth. 9. In a tripod, the combination of a head,

. legs pivotally connected thereto, and adapted to be folded side byside, and when so folded,

. adaptedfor movement relative to each other,

means for causing such movement, and devices, actuated bythe movement ofthe legs relative to each other, and arranged to lock the legs in foldedposition, substantially as and for the purposes specified. I

10. In a tripod, the combination of a head,

a central leg pivotally held thereon, plates loosely connected to thehead and adapted for each other and arranged to lock the legs in foldedposition, substantially as set forth. 5

11. In a tripod, the combination of a head, a central leg pivotally heldthereon, plates loosely held on the head and adapted for movement inplanes parallel with the pivotal axis of the central leg andhaving'pivoted legs,

the pivotal axes of which are out of alinement with the pivotal axis ofthe central leg when the plates are moved to bring the legs in positionto be folded alongside each other and are adapted when the legs are sofolded to be moved relatively to the central leg, and

means actuated by the movement of the legs relative to each other forlocking the legs in folded position, substantially as set forth.

12. In a tripod, the combination of a head, legs pi votally connected tothe head andadapted by suchconstruction to be located alongside of eachother, means comprising devices carried by the legs and arranged forreciprocal engagement for interlocking the legs,

pivot connection for enabling the head to. be

folded on the legs, said locking means adapted to be actuated by thelast-named pivotal other, being out of alinement and the head,

when the'legs are so laid, being adapted to-be folded vover on the legsto impart movement to said legs relative to each other, and interlockingdevices carried by thelegs and caused by the movement of the legsrelative to each other to lock the legs together, substantially as setforth. 14. In a tripod, the combination of a head, legs pivotallyconnected to the head and adapted to be laid alongside each other, thepivotal axes of the legs, when laid alongside each other, being out ofalinement, and the head, when the legs are so laid being adapted to befolded over on the legs to impart movement to said legsrelative to each'other, and interlocking devices, each consisting of a pin carried by oneleg and adapted for engagement, when the legs are moved relative to eachother, with an opening in another leg, to lock the legs .together,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

15. In a tripod, the combination of legs, and

three plates, each of which is adapted to hold screw or the like passedthrough the perforations of the plates, for engagement with the tiallyas and for the purposesspecified.

16. In a tripod having legs, adjustable lengthwise, the combination ofthe legs, and

devices thereon adapted when the legs are shortened to interengage, andmeans adapted to cause such devices to engage each other for locking thelegs together, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

17. In a tripod having legs, adjustable lengthwise, the combination ofthese legs and devices thereon at a distance from the head for lockingthem together, when the head or sections are folded against the legs,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

18. In a tripod, having legs adjustable lengthwise, the combination ofthese legs, when edge to edge, and locking devices thereon at a distancefrom the head for enabling them tobe locked together when the head orsections are folded against the legs, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

- l 19. In a tripod, the combination of a head, having an opening toreceive the tripodscrew, legs, two of the legs each having a holelocated for alinement with the hole of the other plate, and with theopening in the head to receive the tripod-screw, when the legs areassembled .load to be supported by the. tripod, substanfor supportingthe tripod-head, and a stop se cured to the head and having extensions,under which an edge of the pivoted plates comes when approximated, theplates being kept from further approximation by the stop, substantiallyas and for the purposes specified.

20. In atripod, the hinged connections between the head and the legswhich areadapted as the head is folded down on the legs, to move thecentral leg a distance different relatively to the other legs, andcatches between said legs adapted to fasten the legs together by reasonof the alternation of position of the central leg relatively to theouter legs, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

21. In a tripod, the hinged connections between the head and the legswhich are adapted as the head is folded down on the legs, to move thecentral leg a distance different relatively to the-other legs, andcatches between said legs adapted to fasten the legs together by reasonof the alternation of position of the central leg relatively to theouter legs, and the spring K, K K located on one section of a leg andadapted when the sections of the legs are folded -to frictionize aninner section and prevent the same from falling out of position,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

22. A tripod-head comprising a horizontally-arranged set of memberspivoted together on vertical hinges, and means for locking them inposition to form arigid supporting-frame, substantially as and'for thepurposes specified.

23. In a tripod, the combination of a head, three plates having endportions pivotally connecting said plates to each other, end to end, theouter plates being adapted for rotary movement toward and from eachother, and the central plate being held in fixed relation to the head,and the pivoted outer plates being adapted for rotary movement acrossthe under side of the head, and under a stop, and legs pivoted on therespective plates, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

24. In a tripod, the combination of a head, a central leg pivotally heldthereto, plates loosely connected to the head and adapted for movementin parallel planes, legs pivoted on said plates, stop mechanism on thehead to limit the movement of the plates, and a device carried by thehead and having engagement with each plate and arranged to lock theplates against pivotal movement, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

25. A tripod comprising an instrumentbase, a series of leg-holderssupported thereby, said leg-holders being adapted to move outwardly insubstantially the same plane into alinement with each other and to bemoved into an angular position relatively to each other to support saidbase, and locking mechanism for securing the leg-holders in said angularposition to said instrument-base, substantially as described.

26. A tripod, comprising an instrumentbase, legs, a series ofleg-holders supported by said instrument-base, each leg-holder beingcomposed of a substantially flat plate provided withdownwardly-projecting ears, said leg-holders being adapted to moveoutwardlyin substantially the same plane into alinement with each otherand to be moved into an angular position with reference to each other tosupport said base, and means for fastening said leg-holders in saidangular position to said base, substantially as described.

27. In a tripod, the combination of an instrument-base, a series ofleg-holders, one of said leg-holders being secured to said base and theother leg-holders being hinged to said firstnamed leg-holder,eachleg-holder being composed of a substantially fiat plate providedwith downwardlyprojecting ears, said legholders being adapted to bemoved each in a single plane into an angular position With respect toeach other, to support said instrument-base, and means securing saidleg-holders in said angular position, said means being also secured tosaid-instrument-base, substantially as described.

28. In a tripod, the combination of an instrument-base, a series ofleg-holders carried thereby, one of said leg-holders being secured tosaid base and the other leg-holders having hinge connections with saidfirst-named legholder, each of said leg-holders being composed of asubstantiallyflat plateprovided with downwardly-projecting ears, saidlegholders adapted to be moved into an angular v position with referenceto each other, to support said base, and a screw passing throughperforationsin some of said leg-holders and in said instrument-base tosecure said legholders in said angular position, substantially as andfor the purposes specified.

29. In a tripod, the combination of an instrument-base, a series ofleg-holders carried thereby, one of said leg-holders being secured tosaid base and theother leg-holders having pivoted connections with saidfirst-named legholder and said base, each of said leg-holders beingcomposed of a substantially flat plate providedwithdownwardly-projecting ears, said leg-holders adapted to be-movedeach in a single plane into an angular position with reference to eachother, to support said base, and a screw passing through perforations insome of said leg-holders and in said instrument-base to secure saidleg-holders in said angular position, substantially as described.

RICHARD. P. PALMER.

